The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Booklet made from four square card sheets stapled together at the top. The front page is titled 'Semco Sewing Cards. Specially prepared for use in Kindergarten Schools in the following series. Australian, Pantomine, Zoological, Fairies and Elves, Australian Womens Services, Service Men.' This example features 'Australian Womens Service'. All pages are illustrated in full lithographed colour. The cover features two uniformed women, labelled AANS (Australian Army Nursing Service) and AAMWS (Australian Army Medical Women's Service). The second page features a WRANS (Women's Royal Australian Navy Service) woman in front of a destroyer; the third, an member of the AWAS (Australian Women's Army Service) in front of a line of tents and the final page, a WAAAF(Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force) woman operating a sight on a tripod. Each image is outlined with a heavy black line interspersed with dots - these are intended to be punched through with a sewing needle as part of the child's activity.
Commercially printed child's sewing cards appear to have developed from about the mid Victorian period and remain a popular means of teaching children - mainly young girls - to sew. These cards were usually sewn using wool or embroidery thread and a large blunt needle. The Semco series appears to have been produced by Semco Pty Ltd in Victoria sometime after late 1942 - the depiction of a member of the Australian Army Medical Women's Service (AAMWS), which was formed in December 1942, makes this the earliest date of manufacture. A companion military-themed card set depicting Australian Men's Services was produced, and a partial example appears under catalogue reference REL36847.
Booklet , originally made from four square card sheets stapled together at the top, now with only two remaining. The front page is titled 'Semco Sewing cards. Specially prepared for use in Kindergarte
Booklet , originally made from four square card sheets stapled together at the top, now with only two remaining. The front page is titled 'Semco Sewing cards. Specially prepared for use in Kindergarte
Keilor, Vic. 1944-08. Members of the Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS) and Australian Army Medical Womens Service (AAMWS) participate in a debate at the Land Headquarters Army Education School fo
Concord, NSW. c. 1944-04-03. Sergeant B. Wake, Australian Army Medical Womens Service (AAMWS), (left) and Corporal J. Wickham, AAMWS, preparing bacteria culture in the Pathology Department of 113th Au
Darwin, NT. c. 1945-06. A group portrait of the Darwin Choral Society Choir which was formed on VE Day from several small choirs, consisting of members from Australian Women's Army Service (AWAS), Aus
Darwin, NT. c. 1945-06. Flight Lieutenant Alan Bellhouse RAAF of Sydney, NSW, on stage, conducting the Darwin Choral Society Choir which is made up of members from Australian Women's Army Service (AWA
The Greeting Card collection consists of both hand-drawn and commercially produced cards sent to and from Australian service personnel engaged in conflicts dating from the South African War (1899-1902
